[crossover37]

No but because I'm using my lenses for portraits mostly, I don't feel I would need the 18-55, the extra 10mm the 18-55 gives me I'm sure won't matter much. Or will it? What do you think?

[jeffrey r]

No-one can answer this for yourself, but you. When I sold my 18-55 kit lens along with my *ist DL camera a year ago, my widest lens was my Tamron 28-75. Even though most of my photos are of my family, and fit very nicely in the 28-75 range, I did feel a bit exposed (no pun intended), so I picked up a Tamron 17-50. Mind you, this was when they were like $250 from prodigital on ebay about a year ago, so it wasn't a big hit (and was in fact a steal), but I likely would have picked up some sort of wide angle lens, like a Pentax 16-45.

You could certainly try just the 28-75 for awhile, and then see if you feel you need something wider. This can be a work in progress for you--nothing wrong with that.

[Marc Sabatella]

I think you'll get far more use out of the 18-28mm range than you will out of the $50 or so you'd net by selling the kit lens. Not for portraits, no, but surely that's not the only thing you ever shoot?

[crossover37]

Yea I'm going to keep the 18-55. Anyways, I bought the Tamron 28-75 F2.8 today and took portraits of my wife...all I can say is WOW!!!! I'm in love with this lens, it's so amazingly sharp, even at F2.8. I made sure to test the focusing on it first in the store (Filco) before I bought it and it worked perfectly. I am so glad I bought it, it is amazing!!! Thanks guys for all the advice and help

[Blue]

There is one fact about the FA 50mm f1.4. It is sharper than the Tamron at f1.4 and f2.

[NeverSatisfied]

There is one fact about the FA 50mm f1.4. It is sharper than the Tamron at f1.4 and f2.

LOL! So true!

[Jewelltrail]

Blue: There is one fact about the FA 50mm f1.4. It is sharper than the Tamron at f1.4 and f2.

Wait though, even more facts:

The Tamron is sharper @ 28 through 49mm & @ 51 through 75mm, at all apertures!

[tokyoso]

sharp, sharp, sharp lenses....

[Andi Lo]

Both are good lenses, and I do think the Tammy's range is the ultimate range for people shots. (alright, I guess 24mm would be nice... and f/2; but that would be asking too much). As you said the most important consideration is whether you need the speed or not. if you feel that you never use the K2000 at f/1.4 + ISO 800, maybe you'll do fine with the Tammy. If you shoot unmoving objects at 1.4, you can always get a manual 50mm/1.7 or 1.4 at a decent price later.

Another one is make sure that you can refund / exchange it if you get a bad copy. Although the QC not as bad as other notorious lenses, there have been some bad copies of this lens (while I've heard of none from the FA 50).

[shawnxji]

If you plan to use only one lens I'd take the tamron, otherwise the 50mm f/1.4 is one of the finest out there given the price point. I'm biased since I shoot primes and the bokeh and the speed of the 50mm are reasons enough for me to keep, plus you can use it as a good portrait lens

[Ash]

I have both, and won't sell either.
Both are versatile in their own way.
The Tamron I use for weddings, other portraits on the fly.
The FA 50 I use when I need the speed of DoF control that no other lens in my kit can do - then again there isn't much the 31 and 77 ltds can't do in that regard. All that's required is zooming with your feet.

[winglik]

I have used both, sold the 50mm f1.4 and keep the Tamron.(Budget shooter) The 50mm is great, but has limited focal length. I have used the Tamron for several of my trips. It worked great as the kit lens replacement. (Tamron 17-55mm f2.8 also great if you need the 18mm) I think at the end all comes to what you use it for. The 50mm definitely great for portrait and low light. In the other hand the Tamron is all around and still workable at low light with f2.8. And the Tamron f2.8 is pretty sharp, one minor issue with the Tamron is the weight, it's heavier than the K2000 body. Check out my pictures at flickrs. Most are using the Tamron 28-75mm.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/winglik

[yusuf]

If you look at Photozone's reviews, purely from MTF values the FA-50 beats the Tamron. (FA-50 peak performance is around f4-5.6.) .

Hmm, not sure if we are talking about the same lens but photozone's MTF rating for Tamron 28-75 is way higher than FA50 for all aperture.

This is for Canon mount but I guess same lens:
Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) - Review / Test Report - Analysis

Update: nevermind, I was comparing FF to APS-C

[Unsinkable II]

I love the 50/1.4.

I have young children (3 and 5) and I wouldn't be without the speed and selective focus.

Tonight I was photographing HK harbour at different apertures and ISOs, but all in B&W. Fun homework. Especially as I was at home ;-p

[rustynail925]

To those who own FA50 1.4 - how often do you shoot wide open to f1.8